EP1198399A1

EP1198399A1 - Conveyor apparatus for conveying stacks of articles

Info

Publication number: EP1198399A1
Application number: EP00920052A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eric Loppnow
Original assignee: Hudson Sharp Machine Co
Current assignee: Hudson Sharp Machine Co
Priority date: 1999-04-07
Filing date: 2000-04-03
Publication date: 2002-04-24
Also published as: WO2000059812A9; AU4064900A; US6149377A; EP1198399A4; BR0011154A; WO2000059812A1; CA2368519A1

Abstract

A conveyor apparatus (10) for stacked articles, such as stacked plastic or paper bags, includes a frame (12, 14, 15), and a plurality of sprocket assemblies (16, 18, 20, 22) about which one or more conveyor chains (24) extend. The apparatus includes a plurality of wicket wire holding assemblies (26) mounted on the chains at spaced apart intervals for intermittent, incremental movement along a conveyor path defined by the conveyor chains. Each of the holding assemblies includes a pair of support arms (36), and an adjustment mechanism (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) for adjusting the spacing between the arms. The apparatus includes an arrangement for simultaneously adjusting the spacing between the support arms (36) of all of the holding assemblies, including an adjustment drive chain (48) trained about the sprocket assemblies, and a mechanism (58, 60) for moving the adjustment drive chain (48) relative to the conveyor chains (24) of the apparatus.

Description

CONVEYOR APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING STACKS OF ARTICLES Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for conveying stacks of articles, such as stacks of bags held on wire wickets, and more particularly to an apparatus including an arrangement for simultaneously and efficiently adjusting the spacing of a pair of support arms on each of a plurality of wicket wire holding assemblies of the apparatus. Background Of The Invention

Plastic bags for packaging products, such as loaf bread, are typically supplied to a packaging operation in stacks retained on wire wickets. Each of the bags is typically provided with a pair of holes, with each wicket including a pair of arms arranged in generally parallel relationship. Stacks of the bags are arranged on the wire wickets such that the arms of the wickets extend through the holes in each bag. In this fashion, stacks of bags can be efficiently handled. Individual plastic bags are normally manufactured in a configuration which includes the desired spaced holes for receiving an associated wicket therethrough. Apparatus are known which effect stacking of the individual bags, such as on a pair of pins or the like, so that the bags are positioned in alignment with each other for disposition of a wicket through the holes in the bags. U.S. Patents No. 5,522,690, and No. 5,738,478, hereby incorporated by reference, each disclose an arrangement for effecting stacking of bags on a pair of pins, and subsequent placement of a wicket through the aligned holes of the bags.

As will be appreciated, the type of automated machinery for effecting stacking and conveyance of bags, or like articles, having holes for receiving an associated wire wicket, is preferably configured to accommodate bags of varying sizes, including differently spaced holes for receiving the wicket. In some instances, it has been necessary to individually adjust stack-carrying assemblies on a piece of equipment in order to configure the equipment for differently sized bags, with differently spaced holes. The present invention is directed to a conveying apparatus, such as for conveying stacks of plastic bags, wherein a plurality of wire wicket holding assemblies of the apparatus, each including a pair of support arms, can be simultaneously and efficiently adjusted for handling bags having differently spaced wicket-receiving holes. Summary Of The Invention

A conveyor apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention is particularly suited for conveying articles such as stacks of bags each having a pair of holes for receiving an associated wire wicket. The present conveying apparatus includes a plurality of wire wicket holding assemblies arranged for movement along a conveyor path, with each of the holding assemblies including a pair of support arms which receive and support an associated wire wicket upon which a stack of bags is placed. Notably, the present apparatus includes an arrangement whereby the spacing between the support arms of each of the holding assemblies can be simultaneously adjusted, thus promoting very efficient conversion of the conveyor apparatus for use with bags or like articles having differently spaced wicket-receiving holes or openings.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the present conveyor apparatus is configured for conveying stacks of articles, in particular, stacks of paper or plastic bags each having a pair of wicket-receiving holes. The apparatus includes a frame, and a plurality of sprocket assemblies mounted in spaced apart relationship on the frame.

At least one conveyor chain extends about the sprocket assemblies defining a conveyor path of the apparatus. A plurality of wicket wire holding assemblies are mounted on the conveyor chain at spaced apart intervals for incremental movement along the conveyor path. Each of the wire holding assemblies includes a pair of support arms, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between each pair of support arms.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus includes an adjustment drive for simultaneously operating the adjustment mechanisms of the wire holding assemblies, thereby simultaneously adjusting the spacing between the pair of support arms of each assembly. In this fashion, highly efficient and substantially automatic adjustment of the spacing between the support arms of each wire holding assembly can be effected.

The configuration of the present apparatus is desirably straightforward for economical manufacture and reliable operation. The adjustment mechanism of each holding assembly includes an adjustment drive shaft, and an arm adjustment shaft extending perpendicularly to the adjustment drive shaft. The adjustment mechanism further includes a right-angle drive coupling, preferably comprising a worm and worm gear, so that rotation of the adjustment drive shaft effects rotation of the arm adjustment shaft. The arm adjustment shaft includes oppositely threaded end portions to which the pair of support arms are respectively coupled so that rotation of the arm adjustment shaft alters the spacing between the support arms.

In order to effect simultaneous operation of the adjustment mechanisms of the wicket wire holding assemblies, the present apparatus includes an adjustment drive chain which extends about the sprocket assemblies of the apparatus. One of the sprocket assemblies includes a pair of coaxial shafts, one of which is joined to a sprocket in engagement with the adjustment drive chain, and the other of which is joined to a respective sprocket in engagement with the conveyor drive. An input element in the form of an operating handle is provided for effecting relative rotation of the coaxial shafts, to thereby move the adjustment drive chain relative to the conveyor drive. Each of the adjustment mechanisms of the wire holding assemblies includes a sprocket in engagement with the adjustment drive chain. Thus, relative movement of the adjustment drive chain relative to the conveyor chain effects simultaneous operation of the adjustment mechanisms of the holding assemblies.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. Brief Description Of The Drawings

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic, exploded perspective view of a conveyor apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic, exploded perspective view of a wicket wire holding assembly of the present apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the holding assembly illustrated in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic, exploded perspective view of a sprocket assembly of the present apparatus configured for effecting adjustment; and FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the sprocket assembly as shown in FIGURE 4. Detailed Description

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

With reference first to FIGURE 1, therein is illustrated a diagrammatic, exploded perspective view of a conveyor apparatus 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. The conveyor apparatus 10 is particularly configured for conveying stacks of articles, such as stacks of bags each of which include a pair of holes. The conveyor apparatus 10 is configured to receive and carry a plurality of wicket wires, designated W, which in turn each receive a respective stack of the bags being handled and conveyed by the apparatus. The stacks of bags (not shown) may comprise paper or plastic bags, with the apparatus 10 configured to receive a stack of the bags on each of the wire wickets carried by the apparatus. Typically, a backing card C is mounted on each wire W prior to disposition of a stack of bags on the wicket.

With particular reference to FIGURE 1 , the conveyor apparatus 10 includes an apparatus frame, comprising upper and lower frames 12 and 14 which are joined to each other by a plurality of frame supports 15 extending therebetween. The apparatus includes a plurality of sprocket assemblies mounted in spaced apart relationship on the apparatus frame, including, in the illustrated embodiment, sprocket assemblies 16, 18, 20, and 22. As will be further described, sprocket assembly 22 is configured to facilitate adjustment of the conveyor apparatus.

The conveyor apparatus 10 includes at least one conveyor chain 24, with two conveyor chains 24 being provided in the illustrated embodiment. Conveyor chains 24 are arranged in vertically spaced relationship, and are trained and extend about the sprocket assemblies of the apparatus to define the conveyor path of the apparatus.

In order to receive stacks of bags or other articles for conveyance, the apparatus 10 includes a plurality of wicket wire holding assemblies 26 mounted on the conveyor chains 24 at spaced apart intervals for movement along the conveyor path. Incremental, driven movement of the conveyor chains is effected to advance the holding assemblies 26. Each of the holding assemblies 26 is configured to receive a generally U-shaped wire wicket W thereon, and an associated backing card C prior to disposition of a stack of articles on the wicket. With particular reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, each of the holding assemblies 26 includes a pair of plates 28 and a pair of blocks 30 positioned between the plates 28, as shown in FIGURE 3. An upper chain mount 32 and a lower chain mount 34 are provided for securement of each holding assembly to the associated conveyor chains 24. In order to support a wire wicket and associated stacked articles, each holding assembly 26 includes a pair of spaced apart support arms 36 which extend generally outwardly of the conveyor apparatus 10. As will be appreciated, the spacing between the support arms 26 is selected in accordance with the size of the wicket wire W to be received on the support arms, and thus, adjustment of the spacing between the support arms is desirable if the apparatus 10 is to be used for differently sized wickets and stacked articles. To this end, the present apparatus includes an adjustment arrangement which facilitates efficient and simultaneous adjustment of the spacing between the support arms of all of the holding assemblies 26 of the apparatus 10. Each of the holding assemblies 26 includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the support arms 36 thereof. The adjustment mechanism includes generally horizontally oriented arm adjustment shaft 38 having oppositely threaded end portions to which the pair of support arms 36 are respectively coupled in threaded engagement. Each adjustment mechanism further includes an adjustment drive shaft 40, arranged in perpendicular relationship to the arm adjustment shaft 38. A right-angle drive coupling operatively connects each drive shaft 40 with the respective arm adjustment shaft 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the right-angle drive coupling comprises a worm 42 mounted for rotation on adjustment drive shaft 40, and a work gear 44 mounted on arm adjustment shaft 38, in meshing engagement with worm 42. An adjustment sprocket 46 is mounted on the adjustment drive shaft 40 for effecting operation of the adjustment mechanism, as will be described.

Operation of the adjustment mechanisms is effected by the provision of an adjustment drive chain 48 which extends about the sprocket assemblies of the apparatus in parallel relationship to the conveyor chains 24. Adjustment of the support arm spacing is effected by an arrangement which moves the adjustment drive chain relative to the conveyor chains 24 about the sprocket assemblies. Each of the sprocket assemblies includes at least one conveyor chain sprocket in respective engagement with the conveyor chains 24, with two such sprockets being provided on each of the sprocket assemblies in the illustrated embodiment. Each of the sprocket assemblies further includes an adjustment sprocket in engagement with the adjustment drive chain 48. Adjustment of the apparatus is achieved by providing sprocket assembly 22 with a pair of coaxial shafts, one of which is joined to a respective sprocket in engagement with the adjustment drive chain 48, and the other of which is joined to respective sprockets in engagement with conveyor chains 24. As illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, the adjustable sprocket assembly 22 of the present apparatus includes an outer shaft 50 arranged in coaxial relationship with an inner shaft 52. A pair of conveyor chain sprockets 54 are mounted on the outer shaft 52 for rotation therewith, with each of the sprockets 54 being configured for respective engagement with the conveyor chains 24.

Apparatus adjustment is achieved by the provision of an adjustment drive sprocket 56 fixed to inner shaft 52, with the sprocket 56 being in engagement with adjustment drive chain 48. An adjustment handle 58 is connected to the inner shaft 52 for effecting rotation of the inner shaft, and thus adjustment drive sprocket 56, relative to drive sprockets 54. A suitable drive motor can be optionally provided for effecting relative rotation of the inner and outer shaft. In this manner, adjustment drive chain 48 can be moved relative to the conveyor chains 24. By such relative movement, engagement of adjustment chain 48 with the adjustment sprocket 46 of the adjustment mechanism of each holding assembly 26 effects simultaneous operation of the adjustment mechanisms and thus, simultaneous adjustment of the spacing between the support arms 36 of each holding assembly A selectively engageable shaft lock 60, comprising a lockable collar, is mounted on outer shaft 50, and is operable to lock the outer shaft 50 and the inner shaft 52 against relative rotation.

From the foregoing, operation of the adjustment arrangement for the present conveyor apparatus will be readily appreciated. Disengagement of shaft lock 60 permits inner shaft 52 to be rotated relative to outer shaft 50 by rotation of adjustment handle 58. By this action, sprocket 56 joined to the inner shaft 52 is rotated relative to sprockets 54 fixed to outer shaft 50. This action effects movement of adjustment drive chain 48 relative to conveyor chains 24. As will be appreciated, each of the sprocket assemblies of the apparatus includes a sprocket in engagement with the adjustment drive chain 48 which can rotate relative to the associated sprockets about which the conveyor chains 24 are trained. Movement of adjustment drive chain 48 relative to the conveyor chains 24 acts through sprocket 46 of each adjustment mechanism of each holding assembly 26. Adjustment drive shaft 40 of each adjustment mechanism is thus rotated, whereby worm 42 effects driven rotation of the associated worm gear 44. Rotation of arm adjustment shaft 38 is thus effected, with the oppositely threaded end portions of the shaft to which support arms 36 are coupled effecting movement of the support arms toward or away from each other. After the selected spacing has been achieved, with adjustment taking place simultaneously for all of the holding assemblies of the apparatus, the shaft lock 60 on sprocket assembly 22 can be tightened to fix outer shaft 50 and inner shaft

52 against relative rotation. The conveyor apparatus can then again be operated in a normal fashion, with intermittent movement of the conveyor effected for conveyance of stacked articles received on the wicket wires being held by each holding assembly 26. From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A conveyor apparatus for conveying stacks of articles, comprising: an apparatus frame; a plurality of sprocket assemblies mounted in spaced apart relationship on said frame; at least one conveyor chain extending about said sprocket assemblies to define a conveyor path of said apparatus; a plurality of wicket wire holding assemblies mounted on said conveyor chain at spaced apart intervals for movement along said conveyor path, each of said wire holding assemblies including a pair of support arms, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between each pair of support arms; and an adjustment drive for simultaneously operating said adjustment mechanisms to simultaneously adjust the spacing between the pair of support arms of said wire holding assemblies.

2. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adjustment drive comprises an adjustment drive chain extending about said sprocket assemblies in parallel relationship to said conveyor chain, and adjustment means for moving said adjustment drive chain relative to said conveyor chain about said sprocket assemblies.

3. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of said sprocket assemblies includes at least one conveyor chain sprocket in respective engagement with said conveyor chain, and an adjustment sprocket in engagement with said adjustment drive chain, said moving means comprises means on one said sprocket assemblies for moving said adjustment sprocket relative to said conveyor chain sprocket and for thereafter locking the sprockets against relative movement.

4. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said adjustment mechanism of each said wicket wire holding assembly includes an adjustment drive shaft coupled to said adjustment drive chain, an arm adjustment shaft extending perpendicularly to said adjustment drive shaft, and a right-angle drive coupling said shafts so that rotation of said adjustment drive shaft effects rotation of said arm adjustment shaft.

5. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said arm adjustment shaft of each said adjustment mechanism includes oppositely threaded end portions to which said pair of support arms are respectively coupled, so that rotation of said arm adjustment shaft alters the spacing between the support arms.

6. A conveyor apparatus for conveying stacks of bags held on wicket wires, comprising: an apparatus frame; a plurality of sprocket assemblies mounted in spaced apart relationship on said frame; at least one conveyor or chain extending about said sprocket assemblies to define a conveyor path of said apparatus; a plurality of wicket wire holding assemblies mounted on said conveyor chain at spaced apart intervals for movement along said conveyor path, each of said wire holding assemblies including a pair of support arms for holding a wicket wire for receiving a stack of bags thereon, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between each pair of support arms; and an adjustment drive for simultaneously operating said adjustment mechanism, said adjustment drive comprising an adjustment drive chain extending about said sprocket assemblies, one of said sprocket assemblies including a pair of coaxial shafts, one of said coaxial shafts being joined to said respective sprocket in engagement with said adjustment drive chain, and the other of said coaxial shafts being joined to a respective sprocket in engagement with said conveyor chain, said adjustment drive including an input element for rotating said one of said coaxial shafts relative to the other, to move said adjustment drive chain relative to said conveyor chain.

7. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said adjustment drive includes a shaft lock for locking said coaxial shafts against relative rotation.

8. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein each of said adjustment mechanisms includes an adjustment drive shaft having a sprocket mounted thereon in engagement with said adjustment drive chain, and an arm adjustment shaft operatively coupled to said adjustment drive shaft and said pair of support arms.

9. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein each of said adjustment mechanisms further includes a right-angle drive coupling operatively coupling said adjustment drive shaft to the respective arm adjustment shaft, said arm adjustment shaft including oppositely threaded end portions to which the respective pair of support arms are respectively coupled.

10. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said right-angle drive coupling includes a worm mounted on said adjustment drive shaft, and a worm gear mounted on said arm adjustment shaft in driven engagement with said worm.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 19 September 2000 (19 .09.00); original claims 1-10 replaced by amended claims 1-76; (14 pages)] 1. A method for determimng a parameter of interest of a region of interest of the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring at least one component of potential fields data at a plurality of locations over a region of interest including a subterranean formation of interest, said potential fields data selected from magnetic data and gravity data; (b) acquiring and processing seismic data over the region of interest and determining therefrom an initial geophysical model of the region including the subterranean formation of interest; (c) for said model, estimating a value of said at least one component of geophysical tensor data at said plurality of locations; (d) determimng a difference between said estimated value and said measured value of said measurements at said plurality of locations; (e) - updating the geophysical model of the region based on said difference; (f) iteratively repeating steps c - e until said difference is less than a predetermined value; and (g) using said updated model to determine the parameter of interest.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein processing the seismic data further comprises: (i) determining seismic velocities in the region from the acquired seismic data; and (ii) using an empirical relation between seismic velocities and densities in determining a geophysical model of density.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the region of interest includes an anomalous subterranean formation and deriving the initial geophysical model includes an upper boundary of the anomalous subterranean formation.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the determined parameter of interest for processing the seismic data over the region of interest to obtain an image of said region of interest.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the determined parameter of interest for processing of the seismic data giving updated seismic data.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the determined parameter of interest for guiding a drilling process used for drilling a borehole in the region of interest.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the subterranean formation of interest is one of the group consisting of (i) a salt body, (ii) a shale diapir, (iii) a volcanic flow, (iv) an intrusive igneous body, and, (v) an extrusive igneous body.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one component comprises at least two components of potential fields data, and the method further comprises filtering the at least two components to give filtered data components that are consistent with Laplace's equation.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the potential fields data is at least one of (i) vector gravity data, (ii) vector magnetic data, (iii) tensor gravity data, and (iv) tensor magnetic data.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter of interest is selected from (i) a lower boundary of a subterranean formation, (ii) a thickness of a subterranean formation, (iii) a density of the subterranean formation, (iv) a magnetic susceptibility of the subterranean formation, (v) a volume of the subterranean formation, (vi) overburden stress in the region of interest, (vii) effective stress in the region of interest, (viii) formation fluid pressure in the region of interest, (ix) overburden stress below a subterranean formation of interest, (x) effective stress below a subterranean formation of interest, and (xi) formation fluid pressure below a subterranean formation of interest.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one component of potential fields data is a gravity component, the method further comprising applying to the at least one component of the potential fields data for at least one of (i) a latitude correction, (ii) a free air correction, (iii) a fixed density Bouguer correction, (iv) a variable density Bouguer correction, (v) Eotvos correction, and (vi) datum correction.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one component of potential fields data is a magnetic component, the method further comprising applying to the at least one component of the potential fields data for at least one of (i) diurnal correction, (ii) IGRF correction, (iii) leveling correction, (iv) bathymetric correction, (v) fixed magnetic susceptibility correction, and (vi) variable magnetic susceptibility correction.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the model is selected from (i) a 2D model, (ii) a 2.5D model, (iii) a 2.75D model, and (iv) a 3-D model.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising incorporating in the model one of (i) land topography, and (ii) marine sea surface and water bottom bathymetry.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the determined geophysical model includes a density for a portion of the region outside the subterranean formation expressed as a polynomial function of depth and a laterally varying density.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the density is based upon at least one of (i) well log information, (ii) seismic velocity information, (iii) seismic tomography, (iv) prestack seismic inversion of seismic data, (v) post-stack seismic inversion of seismic data, and (vi) regional compaction curves.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein density of the subterranean formation in the determined geophysical model is at least one of (i) a fixed density, (ii) a laterally varying density, and (iii) a vertically varying density.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the determined geophysical model includes a magnetic susceptibility for a portion of the region outside the subterranean formation of interest expressed as a polynomial function of depth and a laterally varying susceptibility.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the determined geophysical model includes a magnetic susceptibility for the subterranean formation of interest selected that is at least one of (i) a fixed susceptibility, (ii) a laterally varying susceptibility, and (iii) a vertically varying susceptibility.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the determined geophysical model includes a base of the subterranean formation that is at great depth.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising subtracting a long- wavelength field from the measured at least one component of potential fields data.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising filtering the at least one component of potential fields data to remove a long wavelength regional component of the potential fields data prior to step (c) of claim 1.

23. The method of claim 13 further comprising using the difference at step (d) of claim 1 for additional filtering of the long wavelength regional component.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein a base of the subterranean formation in the determined geophysical model is expressed in terms of an ordered set of basis functions.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the set of basis functions are selected from (i) half cosine functions, (ii) Legendre polynomials, (iii) polynomials; and (vi) wavelets, (vii) Daubechies wavelets, and (viii) sliding boxcar functions with variable widths.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the basis functions are selected from DAUB4 wavelet function set.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein in step (e) of claim 1 the base of the subterranean formation is not allowed to extend beyond a top of the subterranean formation.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein iteratively repeating steps (c) - (e) of claim 1 further comprises solving for a higher basis function after solving for a lower basis function.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein after each iteration low frequency components are filtered out.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein iteratively repeating steps (c) - (e) further comprises an integration of the determined or updated geophysical model.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the integration of the determined or updated geophysical model is carried out by a set of parallel computations.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein the integration for each parameter to be inverted is chosen randomly, and further comprises: (i) allowing only a small change in each parameter during each iteration; and (ii) applying a low-pass filter to the surface after all parameters have been processed.

33. A method for determining the boundaries of an anomalous geological structure, the method comprising: (a) receiving a set of non-potential field data; (b) determining an upper boundary of the anomalous structure using said non-potential field data; (c) receiving potential field data indicative of a lower boundary of said anomalous structure; (d) modeling a lower boundary as a weighted sum of a plurality of basis functions to give a model of the lower boundary; (e) obtaining a set of expected potential field data from the model of the lower boundary; (f) determining a plurality of weights relating the lower boundary to said plurality of basis functions by iteratively adding one basis function at a time based on said received potential field data; and (g) determining the lower boundary of the geological structure from the determined weights and the basis functions.

34. The method according to claim 33 wherein the determining the weights for said plurality of basis functions further comprises: (i) comparing said received potential field data to said expected potential field data to obtain difference data between said received potential field data and said expected potential field data; and (ii) modifying the plurality of weights base upon said difference data.

35. The method according to claim 34 wherein said modifying the plurality of weights includes an inversion of said potential field data.

36. The method according to claim 34 wherein ends of said upper boundary are masked.

37. The method according to claim 34 wherein said potential fields data includes at least one of (i) vector magnetic data, (ii) vector gravity data, (iii) tensor magnetic data, and (iv) tensor gravity data.

38. The method of claim 33 wherein a boundary ofthe subterranean formation in the determined geophysical model is expressed in terms of an ordered set of basis functions.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the set of basis functions are selected from (i) half cosine functions, (ii) Legendre polynomials, (iii) polynomials; and (vi) wavelets, (vii) Daubechies wavelets, and (viii) sliding boxcar functions with variable widths.

40. A method for determining geological structures of a region of interest including an anomalous formation comprising: (a) obtaining and processing seismic data indicative of the region of interest; (b) formulating a model corresponding to the region of interest; (c) using the processed seismic data for obtaining a an upper boundary ofthe anomalous formation in the model; (d) obtaining potential fields data responsive to a lower boundary of said geologic model; (e) using an iterative inversion technique for determining parameters of said lower boundary from said obtained potential fields data; and (f) using the determined parameters of said lower boundary in processing the obtained seismic data for providing a depth image ofthe geological structures.

41. The method according to claim 40 wherein processing the obtained seismic data further comprises at least one of (i) deriving a velocity model for a portion ofthe region of interest, (ii) prestack migration of the obtained seismic data, and, (iii) post-stack migration ofthe obtained seismic data.

42. The method according to claim 40 wherein using the iterative inversion technique further comprises: (i) predicting values ofthe potential fields data from the model; (ii) obtaining a difference between the obtained potential fields data and the predicted values ofthe potential fields data; and (iii) modifying said parameters of said lower boundary in said geologic model to reduce said difference.

43. The method according to claim 40 wherein said obtained potential fields data further comprises at least one component of (i) vector magnetic data, (ii) vector gravity data, (iii) tensor magnetic data, and (iv) tensor gravity data.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the at least one component comprises at least two components of potential fields data, the method further comprising filtering the at least two components to give filtered data components that are consistent with Laplace's equation.

45. The method of claim 43 further comprising filtering the at least one component of potential fields data to remove a long wavelength regional component ofthe potential fields data prior to step (e) of claim 41.

46. The method of claim 40 wherein a lower boundary of said geologic model is expressed in terms of an ordered set of basis functions.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the set of basis functions are selected from (i) half cosine functions, (ii) Legendre polynomials, (iii) polynomials; and (vi) wavelets, (vii) Daubechies wavelets, and (viii) sliding boxcar functions with variable widths.

48. A method for determining a parameter of interest of an anomalous subterranean formation comprising: (a) measuring at least one component of potential fields data at a plurality of locations over a region of interest including the anomalous formation, said at least one component selected from (i) vector data, and (ii) tensor data; (b) acquiring seismic data over the region of interest including the anomalous formation and determining therefrom an initial geophysical model; (c) for said initial geophysical model, estimating a value of said at least one component of potential fields data at said plurality of locations and giving estimated values of said at least one component of potential fields data; (d) determining a difference between said estimated values and said measured values at said plurality of locations; (e) updating the model ofthe region based on said difference; (f) iteratively repeating steps c - e until said difference is less than a predetermined value, giving an updated geophysical model; (g) using the updated model for processing the seismic data measured to obtain an improved geophysical model; (h) using the updated geophysical model to determine the parameter of interest.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the anomalous formation is selected from the group consisting of a salt body, a shale diapir, a magma flow and a magmatic intrusion.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein the at least one component comprises at least two components of potential fields data, the method further comprising filtering the at least two components to give filtered data components that are consistent with Laplace's equation.

51. The method of claim 48 wherein the parameter of interest is selected from (i) a lower boundary of the subterranean formation, (ii) a thickness of the subterranean formation, (iii) a density of the subterranean formation, (iv) a magnetic susceptibility of the subterranean formation, (v) a volume of the subterranean formation, (vi) overburden stress in the region of interest, (vii) effective stress in the region of interest, (viii) formation fluid pressure in the region of interest, (ix) overburden stress below the subterranean formation of interest, (x) effective stress below the subterranean formation of interest, and (xi) formation fluid pressure below the subterranean formation of interest.

52. The method of claim 48 wherein a base of the subterranean formation in the determined geophysical model is expressed in terms of an ordered set of basis functions.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the set of basis functions are selected from (i) half cosine functions, (ii) Legendre polynomials, (iii) polynomials; and (vi) wavelets, (vii) Daubechies wavelets, and (viii) sliding boxcar functions with variable widths.

54. A method for imaging geological structures beneath an anomalous formation comprising: (a) obtaining seismic data over a region including the anomalous formation; (b) deriving an initial geophysical model including an upper surface of said anomalous formation using said obtained seismic data; (c) obtaining potential fields data indicative of a lower boundary of said anomalous formation; (d) inverting the obtained potential fields data using the initial geophysical model for obtaining an updated geophysical model including parameters of the lower boundary of the anomalous formation, said inversion technique including sequential addition of terms in a modeling process; (e) processing said seismic data using said updated geophysical model to obtain an image of the subsurface including said lower boundary and deriving therefrom an improved geophysical model; and (f) inverting the obtained potential fields data using the improved geophysical model to give a further refined geophysical model; and (g) processing the seismic data using the refined geophysical model to image geologic structures beneath the anomalous formation.

55. The method according to claim 54 wherein inverting the potential fields data further comprises obtaining a difference between values of said potential fields data and values ofthe potential fields data predicted from a geophysical model, and modifying said geophysical model if said difference exceeds a predetermined value.

56. The method according to claim 55 wherein the potential fields data comprises at least one component of data selected from (i) vector magnetic data, (ii) vector gravity data, (iii) tensor magnetic data, and, (iv) tensor gravity data.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the at least one component comprises at least two components of potential fields data, the method further comprising filtering the at least two components to give filtered data components that are consistent with Laplace's equation.

58. The method of claim 55 further comprising filtering the at least one component of potential fields data to remove a long wavelength regional component ofthe potential fields data prior to steps (d) and (f).

59. The method of claim 55 further comprising using said difference for additional filtering ofthe long wavelength regional component.

60. The method of claim 54 wherein a base of the subterranean formation in the determined geophysical model is expressed in terms of an ordered set of basis functions.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the set of basis functions are selected from (i) half cosine functions, (ii) Legendre polynomials, (iii) polynomials; and (vi) wavelets, (vii) Daubechies wavelets, and (viii) sliding boxcar functions with variable widths.

62. A method for determining formation fluid pressure in a subterranean formation, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a measurement of at least one component of potential fields data at a plurality of locations over a region including the formation, said potential fields data selected from magnetic data and gravity data; (b) using seismic data acquired at a plurality of locations in said region for obtaining an initial model of density in the region; (c) using the initial model of density for inverting the at least one component of obtained potential fields data and determining an updated density model; (d) using the updated density model for determining an overburden stress in the formation; (e) determining an effective stress in the formation from the seismic data; and (f) determining the formation fluid pressure from the determined overburden stress and the effective stress.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein the at least one component of potential fields data is at least one of: (i) a component of vector gravity field, (ii) a component of tensor gravity field, (iii) a component of vector magnetic field, and, (iv) a component of tensor magnetic field.

64. The method of claim 62 wherein obtaining the initial model of density further comprises: (i) determining seismic velocities in the region from the acquired seismic data; and (ii) using an empirical relation between seismic velocities and densities in determining the initial model of density.

65. The method of claim 62 wherein obtaining the initial model of density further comprises (i) using densities from well logs near said, and (ii) using well density and velocity data to derive a locally-calibrated empirical relation for converting seismic velocities to densities.

66. The method of claim 62 wherein inverting the at least one component of potential fields data further comprises using the initial model of density as a starting point for an iterative inversion scheme.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein inverting the at least one component of potential fields data further comprises using constraints derived from the initial model of density in the iterative inversion scheme.

68. The method of claim 62 wherein determining the overburden stress further comprises performing a vertical integration ofthe updated density model.

69. The method of claim 64 wherein determining the effective stress further comprises using an empirical relationship between the determined seismic velocities and the effective stress.

70. The method of claim 62 wherein determining the updated model further comprises: (i) for said initial model, estimating a value of said at least one component of potential fields data at said plurality of locations; (ii) determining a difference between said estimated value and said obtained value of said measurements at said plurality of locations; (iii) updating the model ofthe region based on said difference; and (iv) iteratively repeating steps (i) - (iii) until said difference is less than a predetermined value, giving the updated geophysical model.

71. The method of claim 62 further comprising using the determined formation fluid pressure to guide a parameter of a drilling process used for drilling a borehole in the subterranean formation.

72. The method of claim 62 wherein inverting the at least one component of potential fields data further comprises using constraints derived from the initial model of density in the iterative inversion scheme.

73. The method of claim 62 further comprising using the determined formation fluid pressure to analyze stability of a wellbore drilled in the formation.

74. The method of claim 69 wherein the formation has been subjected to an unloading of overburden above the formation, and wherein determining the effective stress further comprises a correction for a hysterisis effect related thereto.

75. The method of claim 64 further comprising using the updated model for obtaining improved seismic velocities and using said improved seismic velocities in determining the effective stress.

76. The method of claim 62 wherein the initial model determined from the seismic data includes one of (i) a topographic surface representing the land surface, and, (ii) a bathymetric surface for marine data.